Dom Howson

Left-back Daniel Pudil has expressed his relief after finally completing a permanent move to Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls’ patience in the transfer market paid off as they captured Pudil and Almen Abdi on permanent deals from Premier League side Watford yesterday.

Pudil, who spent last season on loan at Hillsborough, making 42 appearances, and attacking midfielder Abdi have joined for undisclosed fees. Pudil and Abdi have agreed two and three-year contracts respectively.

Czech Republic international Pudil says Wednesday opened talks with the Hornets over turning his loan into a full-time switch immediately after the Championship Play-Off final.

He told The Star: “It was a long wait but I’m happy to have got it done. These things always take a bit of time but I’m so pleased to be back at Wednesday.”

Several second-tier clubs were understood to have expressed an interest in Pudil’s services but the 30-year-old stressed: “My first choice was always Wednesday.

“I’m really glad that Watford let me go. I just want to say thanks to them and all the people over there. I had an amazing three years in Watford. But I knew this was the time to move and I’m really glad to be back in Sheffield.”

Pudil, who is expected to be involved in the Owls’ final pre-season friendly against Port Vale on Sunday, said he was always confident he would rejoin Carlos Carvalhal’s side.

“I kept in touch with Carlos,” confirmed Pudil, who took part in training yesterday after passing his medical on Wednesday. “I spoke to my agent and told him I wanted to come back and I was sure we would get it done.”